by Verna Clay
Hannah nodded, dabbed at her eyes, and confessed everything to her mother. As she neared the end of her tale, her father returned carrying two coffees. He paused when his wife said, "Sage, we have a situation."
Chapter 18: Problem Solver
At their hotel, Sarah glanced at her husband in bed beside her. "That's an awesome idea, Sage. You may have just given Alex the time he needs to either remember Hannah or fall back in love with her."
Sage reached for her hand. "Honey, don't get your hopes up. Dr. Wyndham…er…Alex may not even go for it. And since Hannah forbids us to say anything about their marriage, he may not accept our offer."
"What you're saying sounds reasonable; however, I'm a firm believer in love conquering all obstacles. If he truly loves our daughter—and he must if he married her—something inside him won't let her go. He'll come to our ranch no matter what his family says."
Sage chuckled. "Sarah, I love how your mind works, but maybe you're envisioning a happy ending because you're a romance novelist."
She grinned and placed her palm against his cheek. "Didn't we have a happy ending? Didn't Toby and Preston and Julie have happy endings? If Hannah's brothers and sister got their HEAs, why would Hannah be any different?"
Sage shook his head. "Like I said, I love the way you think. Okay, if Alex doesn't remember anything after meeting with Hannah tomorrow, I'll approach him with my offer. Does that make you happy?"
"Very happy. You've always been a wonderful problem solver."
"Ah, Sarah, how about helping me with a problem I'm having right now?"
She moved her mouth over his. "Anything you want, just name it."
Hannah held up a mirror and rearranged a wayward strand of hair. She glanced at her mother. "Mom, would you fix that wisp that keeps standing straight up?"
"Of course, honey." Her mother gently brushed the unruly hair back in place. "You look beautiful, Hannah."
Hannah sighed. "I'm being ridiculously vain, I know." Unwanted tears threatened to spoil the eye makeup her mother had patiently applied. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Mama, I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't remember me."
"Honey, if he doesn't remember you, you can't give up. Your father came up with a plan that–" A knock on the door interrupted her.
Hannah inhaled sharply. "He's here!"
Sarah patted her daughter's hand. "Everything is going to work out. Are you ready for me to open the door?"
Hannah gulped. "As ready as I'll ever be." She heard her mother exhale a long breath as she walked to open the door. After a short greeting, Sarah stepped aside and Alex was rolled into the room by a male nurse.
Hannah couldn't breathe. With his head and shoulder bandaged, and looking thinner, his gaze locked on hers and never strayed away. The nurse pushed him next to her bed where she lay in a semi-prone position because raising it higher caused her pain. The machines attached to her softly beeped. Neither of them spoke until she said, "Hello, Alex."
A slight smile creased the corners of his mouth and he reached to hold her hand. "I apologize for not recognizing you. The doctors say I'm suffering from amnesia. I understand you're my assistant and we were returning to our village from a nearby one when we were attacked." His eyes clouded and he reached with his free hand to swipe them. His voice cracked when he said, "I'm so sorry this happened to you."
Hannah blinked back her own tears and placed her hand over his. "We'll get through it."
After Alex left, Hannah covered her eyes with her hands and wept. She wept not only with sorrow, but also joy—sorrow, because Alex hadn't recognized her; joy because he had survived their ordeal.
Sitting on either side of her bed, her mother and father waited until her tears were spent before speaking. Sarah said, "Earlier today I started to tell you about a plan your father came up with in case Alex didn't recognize you. I'll let him explain it. Then you can tell us whether you want to pursue it or not."
Hannah moved her hands away from her eyes. "Wh-what plan?"
Sage said, "Honey, you know that for several years we've opened our ranch to disabled children and that it's helped them tremendously."
Hannah nodded.
Her father continued, "Why don't we invite Alex to the Lazy M to recover?"
Hannah's eyes widened. "But-but his family wants to take him home. And what about the physical therapy he needs?"
"We have excellent medical facilities in Paxtonville. I don't think finding a doctor or physical therapist will be a problem."
Hannah swiped her hand across her nose. "I think his family would fight tooth and nail against him coming to America."
Sarah interjected, "That may be so, but your father can be very persuasive. And, ultimately, the decision will rest with Alex." She hesitated. "Now that he's met you, perhaps something in him won't let you go. Perhaps deep down he knows he's in love with you."
Sage said softly, "All I can do is ask. But you have to give me the okay."
Through her tears Hannah nodded. "Ask him, Daddy."
Alex returned to his room with the assistance of the personal nurse hired by his family—a family he couldn't remember. His shoulder ached, his legs refused to do his bidding, and his heart grieved. And, as if that wasn't enough, frustration clawed relentlessly at his mind and emotions. Why was his medical knowledge intact, but his personal knowledge gone?
He pondered his visitation with Hannah. She was a sweet young woman that tugged at his heartstrings. She'd said they had worked together for about eight months and become friends. She'd also explained the happenings of that horrific day. They'd gone to a nearby village to attend a wedding and it was during their return trip that they'd been stopped by rebels. To his shock he'd learned that surrendering would have been a death sentence, so they'd opted for a shoot-out with guns hidden below their seats.
Alex squeezed his eyes tight. Perhaps not remembering was a blessing. Then he decided that if given the option, he would choose to remember. He needed to remember, so he could fill the vacuum of nothingness that he awakened to each day.
A knock on his door brought him back to the present, and his nurse, who was seated near the window reading a newspaper, moved to open it. Sage Tanner, the father of Hannah, stood in the entrance. Mr. Tanner smiled and asked the nurse, "I was wondering if I could have a word with Alex?"
Before his nurse could respond, Alex called out, "Of course, Mr. Tanner. Please come in."
Hannah's father entered the room and smiled warmly.
Alex said, "Is everything all right? I hope Hannah wasn't upset by my visit."
Mr. Tanner lifted a hand in response. "Everything is fine. I just wanted to have a private word with you."
Alex glanced at his nurse. "Kwame, please excuse us for a few minutes."
"Yes sir," he replied, and grabbed his newspaper before leaving the room.
Alex motioned to the chair beside his bed. "Please have a seat, Mr. Tanner."
"Thank you, and if you don't mind, let's be on a first name basis."
"I wholeheartedly agree." Alex waited for Sage to speak whatever was on his mind.
Sage sat and said, "Please hear me out entirely before you either accept or reject my offer."
Alex nodded, confused by what Hannah's father could offer him.
Sage continued, "I own a large ranch in the state of Colorado and my spread is located just outside the small town of Paxtonville. I've lived in the area all my life because the Lazy M Ranch has been in my family for three generations. My son and my first wife died when our daughter was only five. When she was fourteen, Sarah came to the ranch to participate in the dude ranch we operate each summer." He smiled. "Bear with me, I'm telling you this for a reason." He continued, "Although we operate a dude ranch, we're a working horse and cattle operation…and something more. After Sarah and I married, she said we should open the ranch to children with physical, mental, and emotional challenges. I thought it was a great idea and we expanded our dude ranch to accommodate these chil
dren. Not only do we teach them about ranch life, we take them on a wagon train adventure and host a Christmas celebration each year." He puffed a breath. "So…the reason I'm telling you this is because we're fully capable of offering our expertise to challenged adults."
When Sage paused, Alex caught a glimmer of what he was offering and said, "You want me to be one of those adults?"
Sage nodded. "I do." Hastily, he added, "I know your family wants you to return home with them, but sometimes family can become…well…overprotective. At my ranch I can assure you that you will receive all the medical care and physical therapy needed, but you won't be coddled. We have excellent practitioners in our town and we're close enough to make trips to Denver if necessary."
Alex pursed his lips. "That's quite an offer, sir."
Sage smiled and patted Alex's uninjured shoulder. "I just wanted to toss another option on the table. Think about it. We're here for four more days, and then we're taking Hannah home. You're more than welcome to join us." He reached into his pocket and pulled out some folded papers, placing them on the bed table. "I printed out pertinent information from our website and a few reviews. Check it out. If you decide to take me up on my offer, I'll get the ball rolling." He stood and smiled. "I think the fresh air, beautiful location, excellent medical staff, friendly ranch hands and townsfolk, and your friendship with Hannah, will work in both your favors for swift recoveries."
Alex said, "I promise to give you an answer by tomorrow evening."
Chapter 19: Answer
The sound of his hospital room door opening awakened Alex. His father, sister, and fiancée entered with their usual glum expressions. Immediately, Morgana was at his bedside coddling him. He hated being coddled.
No, he didn't want a drink of water.
No, he wasn't hungry.
No, he didn't want his pillow plumped.
No, he didn't want to be read to.
His father wasn't much better and within fifteen minutes he wished everyone but his sister would leave. Then he felt guilty for having that reaction. These people were his loved ones!
His father said, "Your nurse said Mr. Tanner came by yesterday to see you privately. What was that about?"
Alex wasn't sure whether to hedge the answer or just tell the truth. He decided to go with the truth. "He invited me to recover at his ranch in the U.S. It seems he has a team of medical professionals that work with the physically challenged."
"On a ranch!" Morgana exclaimed. "That's ridiculous! You need to be in a nursing facility close to your family's estate."
His father agreed, "Son, I hope you're not considering the offer. Morgana is right. And if you don't want to stay in a nursing home, we'll bring whatever equipment or personnel you need to the manor. How can you possibly recover on a ranch? That man needs to have his head examined."
Alex's sister joined the conversation. "I think Alex should recover wherever he wants, be it at home or in the U.S. I believe Mr. Tanner is a good man and will deliver just what he promised."
Morgana smirked. "Are you that blind, Maisie? He offered his ranch because his daughter has a romantic interest in Alex. She practically admitted it when we visited the village. She wants to marry into nobility with the money and prestige that come with it."
Alex jerked his gaze to Morgana. "I don't believe you!"
Morgana smiled patiently and patted his hand. "You are such a trusting soul, Alex. You always try to see the best in everyone and that's one of the reasons I love you so much."
Maisie said, "That's rubbish. Alex is forthright and at times as tough as nails. You love him because–"
"Enough!" Lord Alderbury interrupted and then proclaimed, "Alex will return to England and that's the end of this nonsense!"
Alex surprised himself when he said with conviction. "No, I'm not going home; I'm going to the U.S."
After that, all hell broke loose in his hospital room.
Chapter 20: Home Sweet Home
From beneath lowered lashes Hannah glanced across the aisle in the first class section of the jetliner and wanted to pinch herself. Alex had actually agreed to continue his recovery at the Lazy M. Somehow her father had persuaded a man with access to the best treatment available in his own country, to fly to a small town in Colorado and trust that his care would be just as excellent there. A wayward but hopeful thought intruded. Or maybe he feels drawn to me.
Hannah returned to staring blindly at the magazine in her lap. As far as her own condition—although she tired easily—she was making great progress. Her stent had been removed and her pain had lessened to the point that she was taking fewer pain pills and resting better.
As for Alex, his head was still encircled with a wrap, but his shoulder no longer needed bandaging. His legs seemed about the same. He could move them, but with great difficulty. Thinking about his injuries, Hannah wanted to cry. Permanent confinement to a wheelchair for such a virile and active man would be the ultimate cruelty. But even if that happened, she knew her love for him would never waver. She loved him with everything in her and wanted to spend her life with him, even if it meant they could never consummate their marriage again. Her consuming love was strong enough to accept any challenge presented.
Alex leaned across the aisle and chuckled, "You've been staring at that same magazine page for half an hour. Either losing a pound a day for a week is exciting news, or your mind is a million miles away. Besides, if you lost any weight, you'd be invisible."
Hannah blushed and grinned sheepishly. "I guess my thoughts were elsewhere." By Alex's expression, she knew he was waiting for her to disclose her thoughts. She said, "I was thinking about how wonderful it is to return home. I can't wait to see my family and Snowflake, my horse." She hesitated and added, "I think you'll love our ranch."
"I'm sure I will."
Alex's beautifully resonant voice brought flashbacks of his whispered words on their wedding night. Her emotions went into an uproar."
"What are you thinking now, Hannah?"
She couldn't look at him. Softly, she said, "Some thoughts are too private to speak."
Thankfully, her conversation with Alex was interrupted when the pilot's voice sounded over the speakers to update passengers on their progress over the ocean.
Alex barely listened to the pilot. He turned his attention away from Hannah and stared out the porthole. Did her private thoughts involve him? He had a feeling they did. Had their relationship been more than friendship? He wasn't sure. Should he just demand the truth when they were alone? Again, he wasn't sure.
He leaned his head back against the headrest and stared at the ceiling. A sharp pain radiating up his left leg made him wince, but he welcomed the pain; it meant that maybe normal functioning was returning to his lower limbs. He shifted in his seat to relieve the irritation. Because wondering about his future was more than he could bear, he closed his eyes and eventually dozed.
Again, the pilot's voice came over the speaker, waking him. He felt pressure on his arm and his gaze traveled from a small hand to Hannah's face. She said, "We're landing soon. You need to put your seat upright and fasten your seatbelt."
An unexpected vision of Hannah moving her hands up his arms to encircle his neck assailed him. He gasped and inadvertently reared back. Hannah jerked her hand away. The hurt expression on her face had Alex apologizing profusely. "I'm sorry, Hannah. I just, ah, well…" He gave up trying to explain and repeated, "I'm sorry."
"No," she said, "I shouldn't have startled you." She smiled sweetly and began stowing her magazines away.
The touchdown of the plane at Denver International was welcome relief for Alex. His body hurt after the long flight and his emotions were in turmoil. Had he just relived a vision from the past, or was his mind playing tricks on him. If there had been something between Hannah and him, why hadn't she mentioned it? He heard Sage say, "Home sweet home," and forced his thoughts back to the present. He watched Sage motion to the stewardess and heard him say they would wait for everyone to
exit before leaving. After the plane was clear of passengers, wheelchairs were brought for Alex and Hannah. Hannah wanted him to exit first, but he refused. He insisted that she be helped before him.
Soon they were being pushed through the tunnel and into the terminal by attendants. Sarah and Sage relieved the attendants and steered the wheelchairs through a corridor to customs and after that to baggage claim. Another attendant with a large cart met them while they waited for their luggage. Finally, the carousel mechanism started releasing baggage onto the circling platform. After a wait that had Alex shifting in his wheelchair with discomfort, the group started toward the exit. As soon as they reached the main lobby, two men, obviously identical twins, rushed forward. During their flight, Sage had said that they would be met by his sons, Toby and Preston.
The twins both went down on their knees beside their sister's wheelchair and affectionately welcomed her home. Then they got misty eyed and Hannah started crying. She reached an arm around each brother, pulling them against her.
Somehow Alex knew that his relationship with his own family had never been as close or affectionate as this, and it saddened his heart. The men then greeted their parents with hugs. After that, Alex was introduced to Hannah's brothers, and their warmth spilled over to him as they each shook his hand and welcomed him to Colorado.
Soon everyone was loaded into a van with the words Lazy M Ranch painted in bold letters across the sides and back. The van had been fitted for wheelchair access and Sage explained that it was used for children and teens brought to their ranch. Toby slipped behind the wheel and Preston took a seat beside his sister.
The journey to the ranch was an emotional one as the Tanner family reunited with tears and laughter. When Preston asked his sister if she wanted to talk about what had happened, she glanced at Alex as if asking his permission. He appreciated her sensitivity. When he nodded his okay, she related the events that had so altered both their lives. Sage and Sarah took over the story when she got to the part about waking in the hospital. Alex didn't add to the conversation; he merely listened and tried to fit the pieces together in his mind.